Press Release: People v. Vandeburgh, Preston, 5/19/09

Bradford R. Fenocchio

PLACER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Roseville, California95678

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Date: May 19, 2009

Contact:

Art Campos

Public information Officer

916 543-8076

Scott Owens

Acting Assistant District Attorney

916 543-8000

PHONY SUREWEST EMPLOYEE FACES PRISON TERM

AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO IDENTITY THEFT

A Roseville man who impersonated SureWest Communications employees between June and December of 2008 is facing a 10-year, four-month prison term after pleading guilty today to various felony theft charges.

The defendant, Preston Douglas Vandeburgh, 27, accessed SureWest computers, used a company credit card, took a company car without permission and was eventually caught in possession of another stolen credit card, prosecutor Rick Opich of the Placer County District Attorney’s Office said.

Vandeburgh was arrested by Roseville police at a friend’s home two days after visiting the SureWest campus in December, Opich said.

SureWest officials contacted Roseville police to report that they had detected someone using one of their computers at an address in the city.

Police went to the location and found Vandeburgh using the computer. Also found were numerous SureWest items taken during a burglary, Opich said. Placer County Superior Court Judge Robert P. McElhany has scheduled Vandeburgh for sentencing on June 30.

The defendant entered a guilty plea to five charges, including burglary, identity theft, computer crimes and the unlawful taking of a vehicle.

In addition, he admitted to enhancements of having a previous strike for burglary and of having served a prior prison sentence.

Sixteen other felony counts against Vandeburgh were dismissed in the plea arrangement.